A Relevant High School (Love) Memories

Unaware of the manhwa, I found the story is so exaggerating in the beginning. Led with Gong Juyeong, a jumpy and cheerful teenage boy who has an obsession over a tsundere girl Wang Jarim, who has a little interest to none for a boy when they met accidentally in a bus. My first impression about Juyoung isn't quite impressive, he is pushy and also overreacting. I get it why Jarim gets more disinterested. But, this is also the interesting part that the role of genders here are not put in separating boxes, and we get many revelant impressions of high school friends.

I get to love how the story is easy to follow, it's an instant boost with their cheeky and simple moments of puppy love. I don't remember when I could enjoy a light love story this much.

There are more to reveal about the other leads in the clique, I am anticipating for more!

P.S. I started the manhwa too and it's quite accurate at the moment I am reading, good job for interpreting them like this!

Citeste mai mult

Romantic Comedy turns to Humanity Self Reflection

My Demon is endorsed to me through my colleagues who thought that Song Kang plays a character to my liking (Guwon) and boy, isn't he? My Demon is not the first fiction that portray demon as a charming and nonchalant men, lean to heartless as he doesn't possessed humanlike emotion. His encounter to a matchmaking and crossed fate to Dohee starts an evolution to himself and both his role as a demon sent by God.

As a picky romance enjoyer, I think the quality of romantic relationship My Demon portrays are not my liking and some of the actions are considered to me invite cringes rather than heartwarming. I think the one that not intended to be romantic sinks into me better (especially towards the end after they learn about their tangled fate.) The comedy itself shows better on the side characters rather than the main characters, but I think it is because the complicated trope they share together.

I ended up completed My Demon through the influence of how the Demon character deals with God and its role to follow its heart as it involves himself in human business. It is intriguing from the start of the name choice for Guwon (that means salvations.) In this drama, he is portrayed as a savior for people in desparation but actually really, he is a false hop trying to stir human away from God, I think that is interesting and shows a philosophy the writer possess within themselves. It is then continued in the story of how Guwon evolution to be a demon, a change in faith and bet alongside prayers changes him as a humanlike demon. As a non-human and human relationship enjoyer, it gives an interesting perspective for me. Many Christian values also shared in this drama as the core understanding of Demon itself. The potrayal of God as a woman who takes cover to see human intention also takes a valuable interpretation, I think (I am not a Christian myself, but the saying God is everywhere around you are common in Abrahamic religions.)

The family conflict and classes in this drama is exclusive to the riches and I think that alone is a foundation to not make the drama stir from its conflict, again, maybe it is a tad bit boring at some times and unrelatable for some or many watchers. Me, myself even doesn't really gets it about the business conflict as the main issue of how the family is breaking up and turning their backs among each other. But this conflict, align with the political issues showed in the second half of the drama as the modern issues of human civilizations and challenges are pretty relatable and thus evokes a sentimental reaction for me. I think it is not very unusual for us to experience discomfort through our lack of priviledge and pressure of classes we are in among the society.

Afterall, it is an enjoyable drama, especially after digging in to more than the romance. Song Kang has been an absolute eye candy and his charisma is flowing through together with Kim Yoojung who has a wide range of emotion especially in desparation and joy. I have to bite my nails and knocking the door through some scenes because it is fun! Well done! Digging more tropes like this in Korean drama and perspective.

Citeste mai mult

Marriage is a hardwork

I want to get my point across that the story of this drama it's not much of fiction, bits of it seems like researched well and done under the professional point of view for each decision from the character. I have a feeling that systematically, this drama tells very well.

The drama's tone spiralling down under anger and sadness. Prepare yourself for the roller coaster! You'll hate a character, you'll also don't even know whether you are going to defend them or not. Emotionally wrecking.

The World of the Married is a reflection about marriage. To have this drama sure does a good chance for enlightening couples upon the responsibility of the adult life that will hurt us but also will be the major life-changing game for many. The message is really clear that you shouldn't cheat for the very place. But this drama exceptionally execute the 'why' down to audience's mind.

Citeste mai mult

You Are Crazy

Ah, seriously! I thought it would be a fun one but the middle twist of the plot is such a good drive to keep the audience going and sticking with the series. This is a comedy yes but romance and action as well. An all-rounder! I would like to compliment the main leads for taking the mental issues characters well, I think it must've been hard to explore the such theme for a show but depict the horror and the sorrow well I am sympathizing and rooting for them. The side stories are also exciting! The way Mad For Each Other tackles heavy topics in daily kinds of stories is really mesmerizing. Glad that I pick this up again. There's always hope and love even when you think you are crazy it is.

Citeste mai mult

if it changes you in a positive way, no regrets

Loosely adapted from the movie '17 again', the drama has turned the trope into an amazing life-lesson without necessarily guilt-tripping and dictating. Some acts seem candid to the nature of the story. However, it still upsets me that the main character seems to act so recklessly during the transformation. I realized at the end that it is a part of the main character's character development. I am not comfortable either about the fact that an '18-year-old' body still chases and act like 'thirty-seven' so much, especially around the wife, Da-Jeong. This drama fills the void of regrets I have in life, comforting too.

Citeste mai mult

A Pack of Criticism Wrapped in 'Uncooked' Romance

This review is written solely depended on the drama since I figure that there is season 2 in the making (supposed to be released two weeks ago?) and based on a webtoon.

I love the premise! Love Alarm represents a concern and also a social condition where 'digital era' is one step ahead of people. This time, the technology is taking over people's feeling and make it visible through others by the presence of Love Alarm. The procedure of the app is still unknown for me, but the time I know how it works I am sure that its function to manipulate people to rely on it is damaging. I love the tone of the drama changed after the fast-forwarded scenes.

HOWEVER. I feel that the love story brought by the presence of the app is still lousy. The characters are still pretty much flat and cartoonish. Jojo with her naivety, Sunoh with his selfishness and Hyeyeong is just too kind...so does Dukgu. And Gulmi, she is pretty much an antagonist to hate here.

Jojo's feelings don't have basic ground. Her background story doesn't motivate her to do something. As if victim-blamed, she's just embracing her deeds just as it is. I thought there will be development about it. And then Sunoh, he may look like the main character everyone is rooting for, however, he is too self-centred to be called a protagonist. His good looking persona seems like taken for granted here so he can do things he wanted (pushing over Hyeyeong and Jojo, and rebelling without valid reasons). Hyeyeong and Dukgu here are collecting sympathy from the audience, I kind of feel sorry for them....as if their character here is only for the main characters to be happy and feel good. Again, the class problem seems apparent here for creating distance between the characters instead of as a reason for them to struggle to fight it in the name of their feeling.

Looking forward for the next season to confirm the next story and closure of this series. It ended nicely to continue in next season.

Citeste mai mult

Power, Ethic and Dream Struggle of an 'Ordinary' Student

Truth to be told, I don't have a glimpse of any ideas about this drama at first. So watching the first episode brings the premise very well to me. The story sets simple, somehow it brings me no idea where it could go wrong.

Turns out, everything goes very wrong.

First of all, though, I want to address the violence in this drama is quite massive. I will list trigger warnings as followed: blood, suicide attempt, mental illness, rape, panic attack, and what triggered me the most is bullying.

Second, let's talk at how the production team executes this drama exquisitely. The characters successfully bring their emotional pain enough for me to sympathize and sit in frustration watching their actions. I would love to address my salute to the main character Oh Jisoo. His double personality comes from such an innocent face is hmm...just unpredictable. I like a lot of characters here. Main or secondary, they bring such an interesting component to spice up the scene.

Third, this drama may sound like a tragedy at first but after pondering about it, their message is quite critical. The struggle of living and being expected as a student is huge. Both of the main characters are living differently but they share the same pain and vagueness about their future. I think, as a student, this story hits differently for them who are living in the culture. The pressure of doing well economically and academically is just insane. This drama also tells about teenagers problem mentally, like friends, and romance struggle.

I don't have a say about prostitution as the main theme since I don't know enough to comment about it. I think it stays put in the grey area. This drama can be a lesson for the officials to be aware of how their society become. The world becomes fair only to the one who has the money is a cruel reality we should try to help and be aware of.

P.S. I love that they put the message on ask for help in the credit scene.

Citeste mai mult

Hi, mom, I love you!

GOSH. We all know that this drama is tearjerker worthy from the title. It does but it also brings such a warmth to my heart.

Voiced in the main character's narrative, this drama has a bias of value from Cha Yuri, the deceased mother. We will be treated like a friend, who sympathize and bleed with her. But not rarely, also smile for her in between.

The dynamics from the characters are so impressive. The portrayal of family and their issues will make the audience the exact dilemma. It represents the value of the Asian family as well. I do reflect a lot about life and love upon watching this drama.

Super lovely, ESPECIALLY BABIEEEES! Super cute. I think this drama will restore faith about love within your family. I hope so, it's just important <3

Citeste mai mult

Mafia, Rise Your Head

First of all, please go through the trigger warnings because they are not lying! This series contains a lot of violence and triggering self-harm activities...the minor warning probably so many curses going around (likely because they are high schoolers)

Told about the story of main character Yoonseo who went on school trip with his classmates to a retreat center only to find the time froze and they are forced to play a real-life-situation mafia game. To survive all of the classmates have to work together to solve the game and fight the host. However, it is not easy because they all have secrets behind their backs.

I love the series structure. Set in only 12 episodes and each one only have 30 minutes long duration really does it for me to binge. However, unfortunately it has made the ending seems rushed and as 'it is what it is.'

The strong point of this drama is how they make high schoolers as high schoolers, naive and also easy to drive which eventually amuses the host and we all get so GRRR COME ON at them. It is also later revealed that they do have more characters than the assigned outlook and have more personalities once we get through the episodes.

Yoonseo as the main character who reads a lot of mystery book is pictured as the smart one who is also very lucky and probably calmer than the others because she already has pictures about what was going on. Though it is later displayed that her personality reflects her skill, I wish it is shown more that she is not some kind of helpless girl. I am digging more backstories about her and Junhee that unfortunately is not shown in the drama. I like many characters like Nahee who even though seems meek but actually stands smart to her role as the police. Oh and don't get me started with Somi who is very ANNOYING and staying true to that until the end, haha. I think there are a lot of emotions and sentimental shown in the story and I get that we cannot get a lot of relationships shown because of the volume of the classmates.

However, upon the ending, my guess was a missed that it is Seeun a.k.a. Jungwon who programmed the game for revenge, it is her parents that makes this story I think goes to the offside story. I started to think the technicality at how such adults do that to kids and not to mentioned that they literally does crime back to them. Though I do understand the anger that no one has spoken up about the incident has truly angered them. The ending being them stucked again in loop with only Yoonseo remembered, I think it is a torture...though it seems like the perfect ending, I wish for different ending which somehow they all need to repent during the game, that the purpose is somehow to make them realized something they have done wrong rather than torturing them without the outcome they searched for. At this point, I think the parents just bullying the students back rather than finding the right closure.

Afterall, I rate this story 8 for its engaging delivery and makes me binged for a day! It is thrilling and cruel, I cannot watch it while eating snflksdfnksldf

Citeste mai mult

I am Made of (Suppressed) Anger

GOSH! Let me heave a sigh first because I have been holding them while watching this drama!

My scoring towards this drama is mostly driven by how the main character unleashes my hidden emotion. Yeon Sieun is not just having anger issues, I think he's a little bit insane in the head. The pacing for this drama is really good, it matches how Sieun thinks and the uneasiness in between it. Also, the action performed by Suho is really satisfying. And also, would like to give kudos to the character development of Bumseok. If someone asks me what are the titles of drama genres that I love, I'll add Weak Hero Class 1 after Extracuriccular on the list! Can't wait for the next season.

Citeste mai mult

A Kind Introduction to Adulting

It took me a long time to finish the drama, the issue is due to its pacing that is slow for me and also the compactness of feeling this drama has on me. I am going to be 25 this year, I have a lot of friends who are younger than me, the existence of Back Yijin makes me realize a lot of silent things happening in my life. The things I choose to ignore or the things I didn't know yet. The romance, I don't expect it to be that way but honestly, I want to thank this drama to highlight the platonic feeling. I just think in our age, those kinds of affection have slowly been underrated due to the social pressure we have as an adult. Ah, this drama has made me believe once again in the softness of our hearts to endure the world that isn't going softer. To rely on love a little bit more too. Also to believe that things will change and we won't be stuck in a situation forever. The OST are magnificent! Not just it is sung beautifully by well-known artists, but the timing and theme suit perfectly. The scene was also taken beautifully. Mundane places that also seem like belong to our memories as well. I am satisfied with the drama though I think they don't need to be realistic that hard for the ending though (let us live in daydream a little bit!) but yeah, time well spent!

Citeste mai mult

Oh a Dream Puppy Love

Shin Soli really said that her imagination keeps her afloat. Anyone must have their moments to smile in between these high school life stories. I have mine too. How every episode brings the plot into the light watch is the charm of this drama, but also what it lacks because I tend to lose my will to anticipate what happened. Cha Heon is a tsundere, but the formula of him showing Soli his back and smiles to himself has turned repetitive. His figure is too sweet to be 'mean' enough. Also, can we talk about how the ost repeat itself inside the story too much as if the drama doesn't have enough songs to be featured. All songs are great! Please use all of them consecutively. I think Woo Daesung deserves a slight subplot too, right? He is the second lead but Jinhwan and Hayoung a complete history until the drama ends but we only have subtle view about how Daesung's future look like. I enjoy this drama between my lunch. It's quite heartwarming to remember about how love grows (though this drama still fall into half realistic in a way).

Citeste mai mult

Impactful Critic Towards Education

I put this drama on hold for its first episode, which when it's released, it is so depressing and hits close to home. However, the remaining episodes remain attention-grabbing. And it is now, one of the reasons I will look forward to more serious dramas.

Education takes a lot of time in our lives. The war within is variable, and I am glad that this drama exists to point out the essential problem (that I think is) in Asian families. Even though my condition is not an exact reflection of the characters in the drama, the point of view of the parents still stuck. The meaning of life is to live comfortably, with wealth and power. It's inevitably true however this series, though it may seem idealistic, prove you something.

Some scenes happened in real life, no matter how I experienced it myself or that I know about it. It makes me look forward to the problem solving the writer, and the director offers to me. I think it pretty makes sense.

I really love the acting of the mothers. They reveal a natural sense of mental state the mothers experienced. I learn to side with the kids but then finished with another point of view with the parents'. Again, the characters in the series are privileged, the one who is not ended up badly, so it is not entirely fair...but you get what I mean. Each episode's ended with a cliffhanger that is addicting. I keep on looking forward to more. It is great that the characters are having two sides or many, it makes the story more complex.

I really reflect on this drama.

Citeste mai mult

Let's be honest, the story is so cringe at my preference. However, I would like to set my opinion that this drama has been actually shown as the critic of the genre and trope itself.

Look at how the character rebels at their set-up, mocking the writer. I think it's quite funny and interesting that the 'work' would even like to protest the lack of decency in their life, let alone the writer. In that sense though, I like it. However, I don't think this drama itself own something extra to make the story a little different from their set-up. I argue about this matter due to feel that this drama lack something when it about to end. The problem seem to cycle around Danoh's sickness only to make something major -like critical illness- suddenly gone. Hm, that sounds rush-y don't you think so?

And so many tears...I wonder why it brings me to be less sympathetic with them or it is just the type of it? I like some cheesy lines though, and unexpected character development, like what happened in Juda's case. GOD OH NAMJU. I WANT TO SCREAM AT HIM. Geez, he is the ultimate star in this cheesiness, haha.

All and all, kudos for the acting especially for Kim Hyeyoon. Such a heavy task to own so many faces and expression. Good job!

Citeste mai mult